The festival, which also attracted the participation of over 20 foreign embassies and Indonesia’s Government officials, included a parade introducing local culture, and booths on partner countries’ immigration policies and cultural features.

The initiative to renew passports and quickly solve passport-related procedures was the highlight of the event.

The organizing board planned to grant 1,600 new passports during the festival. However, as of 11am, 3,000 people had registered for new passports.

Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly said that the public service in the field of immigration draws public attention. However, human resources and budget for this work remain limited and is unable to meet the increasing demand of middle-class Indonesians.

Therefore, through the festival, the ministry hopes for a closer approach to the public, he added.